Phil Galfond Challenge vs. 'VeniVidi1993'
The first match of the Galfond Challenge sees Phil Galfond take on 'VeniVidi1993' in 25,000 hands of €100-€200 PLO

The ‘Galfond Challenge‘ with Phil Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993‘ battling at €100-€200 PLO on Run It Once Poker continued on Friday. The two played through another 940 hands of their 25,000-hand match, with ‘VeniVidi1993’ once again finishing as the session’s winner. On Friday, ‘VeniVidi1993’ finished up €60,743.37 and he’s now up €439,817.14 overall.

The two have now played 5,700 hands total, and they’ve had eight separate sessions. That puts this match of the Galfond Challenge at 22.8% complete. Friday’s loss marked the seventh losing session for Galfond. Galfond’s average outcomes through the first eight sessions are -€54,977.14 per session, -€7,716.09 per 100 hands, and -38.58 big blinds per 100 hands.

As a reminder, Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ are set to play 25,000 hands of €100-€200 PLO, buying in for €20,000 starting stacks each time they play. There is an agreement to reset stack sizes a few times during each session, and at any point one side can quit the match. At the end of the 25,000 hands, or when one side quits, there will be side betting action that will be settled. Galfond is risking €200,000 that he’ll be up over 25,000 hands, and ‘VeniVidi1993’ is risking €100,000 that he’ll be up when it’s all said and done. The amounts differ because Galfond offered 2-1 odds on the side bet.

Through the first couple hundred hands on Friday, Galfond was down more than two buy-ins. Things got worse for him with the following hand, when ‘VeniVidi1993’ made a diamond flush in a pot worth more than €40,000.

With €3,599 in the middle on the Jc6d3c flop, Galfond checked and ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €1,835.49. Galfond put in a check-raise to €5,400, and ‘VeniVidi1993’ came back with an all-in shove for €18,598 total. Galfond called.

When the cards flipped up, Galfond showed the AhAc9c4d. ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the Jd8h7d6s. The turn was the 9d and river the Ad. Galfond made trip aces on the river, but the same card gave ‘VeniVidi1993’ a diamond flush, so he won the €40,795 pot.

Shortly after that, Galfond was able to win a pot of more than €40,000 to pull some back.

With €5,398.50 in the middle on the paired board of Tc8c6cTs, ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €4,048.88 and Galfond called. The river was the 4h and ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet the full pot for €13,496.26. That was enough to cover Galfond, who had €13,351.37 left. Galfond quickly called with the Th8h5h5s for top full house. ‘VeniVidi1993’ showed the AhQs8s6h and the pot, worth €40,199, was shipped Galfond’s way.

Although this next hand didn’t go to showdown, it was another sizable pot that went the way of ‘VeniVidi1993,’ who got the job done with a big raise on the river.

After Galfond checked the Ts8h4s2c board, ‘VeniVidi1993’ fired a pot-sized bet of €2,805.66. Galfond called to see the 7s complete the board on the river. Galfond opted to lead with a pot-sized bet of €8,416.98 and ‘VeniVidi1993’ fought back with a raise to €33,667.92. Galfond had a little more than €18,000 behind and opted to fold, which gave ‘VeniVidi1993’ another healthy pot.

Later in the match, ‘VeniVidi1993’ won another pot of more than €40,000, again when the two players got the money in on the flop. Let’s take a look.

Galfond raised to €600 on the button and ‘VeniVidi1993’ reraised to €1,800. Galfond called and the flop came down 8c6h3s. ‘VeniVidi1993’ led with a bet of €3,599 and Galfond raised to €14,396. Galfond had just over €4,000 behind and ‘VeniVidi1993’ put him all in. Galfond called to create a pot worth €40,522.56.

Galfond had the 9d8h5s4h. He was up against the AsAhTd9d for ‘VeniVidi1993.’ The turn was the Qs and the river was the Qc. With two pair, aces and queens, ‘VeniVidi1993’ was awarded the pot.

Challenge Results To Date

Hands Played Daily Winner Amount Won
Day 1 (Jan. 22) 655 VeniVidi1993 €72,572.68
Day 2 (Jan. 23) 715 Phil Galfond €2,615.26
Day 3 (Jan. 24) 557 VeniVidi1993 €84,437.52
Day 4 (Jan. 25) 581 VeniVidi1993 €17,544.87
Day 5 (Jan. 27) 726 VeniVidi1993 €155,063.52
Day 6 (Jan. 28) 703 VeniVidi1993 €13.31
Day 7 (Jan. 30) 823 VeniVidi1993 €52,057.13
Day 8 (Jan. 31) 940 VeniVidi1993 €60,743.37
Total 5,700 VeniVidi1993 €439,817.14

If Galfond Wins, Everyone Wins

During the Galfond Challenge, Run It Once Poker players have a chance to added rewards. Through Run It Once Poker’s ‘Splash the Winnings’ promotion, every player on Run It Once Poker has the chance to win on any day that Galfond wins in the challenge.

During the first two weeks of the Galfond Challenge, on any day when Galfond is profitable in a match, Run It Once Poker’s ‘Splash the Pot’ promotion will be doubled. For more information, including how you can sign up for Run It Once Poker, check out PocketFives’ dedicated page for the site.

What’s Next for the Galfond Challenge?

Eight sessions and 5,700 hands are in the books for this first match of the Galfond Challenge. On Saturday, Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ will be back for more, starting at 11 a.m. ET for the ninth day.

Be sure to stay tuned to PocketFives for more on the Galfond Challenge.